CHAPTER II

1 SOME CARDINAL PRINCIPLES OF METHOD

1. There are four principles which should govern our
procedure, if we are to save time and labour in attaining
the four aims given in the last chapter. They are
these :—

(a) The method should be primarily a practice
method.

(6) Oral work should have a predominant place
from the outset, and a prominent place throughout.

(c) The different branches of the teaching should
co-operate, and the teaching of English should make
the best use of the pupil's knowledge and study of the
vernacular.

'(What that best use is will be considered later.)

(rf) The language teaching should all along connect
closely with the pupil's life.
. To consider these in order:—

FIRST PRINCIPLE
A Practice Method

The first principle is the most important, though it is-
a principle the real significance of which is constantly
overlooked by teachers of English in this country. The
fact to bear in mind is that English is taught in India in
order that it r»ay be used as a medium of communication
in ordinary life. In this it contrasts sharply with
Oriental classical languages, Arabic, Sanskrit, and, we
may venture to add, Persian. These languages are
taught primarily to give the pupil access to a literature—
a literature written not in language spoken in daily life,
or, at any rate, not in a language intended for the pupil's-
ordinary speech and daily use. For this purpose it is-
sufficient if the study of these languages is carried to<
the point of accurate and fairly rapid understanding' of.